MicroRNA Expression Profile of Whole Blood Is Altered in Adenovirus-Infected Pneumonia Children

Mediators Inflamm. 2018 Oct 14:2018:2320640. doi: 10.1155/2018/2320640. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Human adenovirus (Adv) infection is responsible for most community-acquired pneumonia in infants and children, which results in significant morbidity and mortality in children every year. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with viral replication and host immune response. Knowing the miRNA expression profile will help understand the role of miRNAs in modulating the host response to adenovirus infection and possibly improve the diagnosis of adenovirus-infected pneumonia. In our study, total RNA extracted from whole blood of adenovirus-infected pneumonia children and healthy controls were analyzed by small RNA deep sequencing. Expression profiles of whole blood microRNAs were altered and distinctly different in adenovirus-infected children. The top 3 upregulated miRNA (hsa-miR-127-3p, hsa-miR-493-5p, and hsa-miR-409-3p) were identified in adenovirus-infected children and provided a clear distinction between infected and healthy individuals. Potential host target genes were predicated and validated by qRT-PCR to study the impact of microRNAs on the host genes. Most of the target genes were involved in the MAPK signaling pathway and innate immune response. These highly upregulated microRNAs may have crucial roles in Adv pathogenesis and are potential biomarkers for adenovirus-infected pneumonia.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics*
  • Cell Line
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Phylogeny
  • Pneumonia / genetics*
  • Pneumonia / virology*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • MIRN127 microRNA, human
  • MIRN409 microRNA, human
  • MIRN493 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs